Compressor



H. F. HADLEY March 8, 1949.

COMPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 5, 1944 1954mm J? HADLEY RNE'Y' H. F. HADLEY March 8, '1949.

COMPRESSOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 5, 1944 DWEMWR BY 5m Hmam F. HUZLEY IE'E Patented Mar. 8, 1949 COMPRESSOR Harold F. Hadley, Defiance, Ohio, assignor to. Dapco Products, Inc., a corporation of Ohio Application January 5, 1944, Serial No. 517,296

3 Claims.

This invention relates to compressors and more especially to compressors of the diaphragm type.

The invention comprehends the provision of a compressor particularly constructed to secure uniform distribution and rapid dissipation of the heat generated by compressor operation, resulting in lower temperatures of operation with a consequent increase in compressor efficiency.

An object of the invention resides in the provision of a plenum chamber for a compressor having an arrangement of interiorly disposed heat radiating means. providing a comparatively large metallic area for the dissipation and radiation of the heat of compression from the metal parts of the compressor.

Another object is the provision of a compressor of the diaphragm type wherein the plenum chamber thereof is bounded in part by a valve carrying plate on which is integrally formed a plurality of heat radiating fins extending interiorly of the plenum chamber to facilitate a uniform distribution of the heat of compression into the compressed gas whereby a large portion of the heat generated by compressor operations is conveyed away through the medium of the compressed gases.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combinations of parts,

elements per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features as will be apparent from a consideration of the specification and drawing of a form of the invention which may be preferred, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating a form of compressor embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to Figure 1 illustrating another form of the invention;

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 8-6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 1-4 of Figure 5.

The embodiments of the invention have been illustrated as particularly adapted for use in compressing gases such as air but it is to be 2 understood the apparatus may be utilized as a vacuum producing means, or for any other purpose wherein the same may be found to have utility.

Referring to the drawings and especially to the form shown in Figures 1 to 4, the apparatus is inclusive of a housing I! formed of metal and provided with an opening in the front thereof normally closed by a cover H. The cover is formed with a screened breather opening H to permit the equalization of air pressure within the housing. The housing It is arranged to be mounted upon the frame structure or end plate ll of a motor ll adapted to drive the compressor, the compressor housing being held in place by means of screws it. The compressor structure may be carriedby other means without departing from the invention. The upper portion of the compressor housing In is flared outwardly or enlarged as at l6 and terminates in an annular surface or flange i1 bounding a circular recess IS. The recess it forms a seat to receive the peripheral portion. of a flexible diaphragm or element 20 formed of rubber, synthetic rubber or the like which is preferably reinforced by fabric (not shown) moulded in the interior thereof or otherwise bonded thereto.

Positioned adjacent the diaphragm is a circular plate or member 23 having a peripheral portion 25 seating on the annular surface ll of the housing i0, which clamps or secures the periphery of the flexible diaphragm in position. the plate 23 forming a wall of a compression chamber 24.

The compressor is provided with a head 28 which is formed with an annular lower surface 29 arranged to contact the plate 23, there being an annular gasket 30 interposed between the head 28 and plate 23 to effect a sealed joint. The head 28 and plate 23 are secured in fixed position by means of screws 3 threaded into suitable threaded openings in the flared portion ii of the housing i0.

The plate 23 is provided with a concentrically arranged projecting flange or wall 34 which, with a depending annular flange 25 on the head 28, forms an air inlet passage 33 for the compressor chamber 24. Interposed between the juxtaposed edges of flanges 34 and 35 is a resilient gasket 36 formed of compressible material, as for example, rubber or the like arranged to seal the joint between the flanges. The flange 35 is provided with an annular shoulder or abutment 31 so that the pressure of the compressed air or fluid will not dislodge the sealing member 36.

tially compressed The head 28hasathreaded opening 88toaccomis supported upon a circular member 58 and is" held in place by means of a plate 8| secured to member 88 by screws 82 or other suitable securing means. The member 88 has integral spaced depending bosses l4 and 88 provided with aligned bores which receive a' journal pin or shaft 88 held'in place by screws 81. An actuating means or connecting rod 58 has a circular boss 88 at its upper end which is bored to accommodate a needle bearing 8|. Interposed between one face of boss 88 and the inner face of boss Ills a thrust bearing or member 88 preferably of the. self-lubricating type, for example, formed by compressed comminuted metal impregnated with a lubricant.

The boss 84 is formed with laterally extending projections 85, and the upper portion of connecting rod 58 is formed with projections 88, projections 85. being provided with recesses 61 to retain a pair of resilient members 68 of rubber, synthetic rubber or the like, each member 68 being tion of the fins 9| positioned between an adjacent pair of proiections 65 and 88. The resilient means 68 are iniso as to continuously exerta lateral pressure upon the thrust bearing or element 8!. These members 68 function as a vibration damping and shock absorbing means for minimizing the shocks due to rapid changes in direction 01' movement or reciprocation of the diaphragm and associated elements as well as to eliminate lost motion between the diaphragm support and connecting rod. This arrangement minimizes the metallic noises of moving parts. The connecting rod 58 is formed at its lower end with a hollow boss 10 which accommodates an anti-friction bearing ll, preferably of the ball type of a character in which in the bearing. The inner race of the bearing snugly fits a hollow cylindrical member 18 which is fixedly positioned on the motor shaft 14 by means of a key 15 or other securing means. The axis .of the exterior cylindrical surface of member 18 is eccentric with respect to the axis of the motor shaft 14, this eccentricity, during rotation, causing reciprocation of the connecting rod and diaphragm. The member 13 is formed with pro.- iection 11 arranged to counterbalance the pull of time reciprocating diaphragm and associated par The valve mechanism of thisform of compressor is carried by plate 28 which is provided with a pair of juxtaposed inlet passages or ports 88 communicating between the walled passage 88 and annular and the compression chamber 24 plenum chamber 42. The inlet ports 80 are of substantially rectangular configuration, and are normally closed by thin, flexible valves or plates 8.2 and 88. One end of each valve is fixedly secured to the plate 28 by rivets .85 driven into openings in plate 28, the valves being arranged in opposed relation as shown in Figure 2. Similarly constructed valves 81 and 88 are arranged to normally close the outlet ports arranged with the free or movable extremities extending in parallel and opposite. directions.

lubricant is sealed 8| and are also i 0 One of the features of this invention resides in means of dissipating theheat generated by the compression of gases. The head .28 is formed exteriorly with a plurality of heatradiating fins .88 for radiating heat away from the'hxead structure into the surrounding atmosphe e. Compressors of the diaphragm type'are generally used for operations where the compressed'air or other gases are conveyed to astorage tank or direct to the point of use. The compressed gases are conveyed away from the plenum chamber 42 through the outlet passage 48 during operation oi the compressor. I have provided means for dissipating a substantial amount of the heat of compression transferred from the compression chamber 24 to the plate 23. To this end there isintegrally formed on plate 23 a plurality of extend into the plenum" fins or baflles 8| which I chamber 42. As particularly illustrated in Figure 2, the fins are confl'gurated as segments of annulae and are spacedand concentrically disposed about the center of the plate 23. This arrangement provides a comparatively large metallic surface area to facilitate the radiation of heat away from the plate 28 intothe compressed. gas present" in.

the plenum chamber 42. The arcuate configuraforms curved channels 82 through which a portion of the compressed gas travels in moving toward the outlet 43 thus bringing the moving. gas into direct contact with the heat radiating fins without appreciably retarding the flow of compressed gas. By this means the compressed gas moving through the plenum chamber and in intimate contact with the fins 8| entrains or carries away a substantial quantity of .the heat generatedv by compression hus resulting in lower temperature operation oi the compressor, with a consequent increase in the life of the flexible diaphragm. I have found this a factor of great importance, as high temperatures tend to cause premature failure of the diaphragm. In the operation of the compressor, the motor I4 is started, rotating the shaft 74 and the eccentric member 18. member 13 causes reciprocatory movement of the connecting rod and diaphragm structure. Each downward stroke of the diaphragm structure sets up a differential pressure betweenthecompression chamber 24 and passage 33 which causes the inlet valves 82 and 88 to open, permitting air or other fluid to flow into the compression chamber. On the upward stroke of the diaphragm, the valves 82 and 88 are closed, causing the air or fluid to be compressed in chamber 24. When the pressure within the chamber 24 exceeds thatin'the' plenum chamber 42, the valves 81 and 88 are opened by reason of the higher pressure in chamber 24, causing the air or other fluid under compression to flow through the outlet ports 8| into the annular plenum chamber. As the compressed air or other gas is continuously being conveyed away from the plenum chamber 42 through the outlet duct 48, the compressed gas flowing through the channels 82 formed by the fins 8 absorbs heat from the latter which is carried away from the compression structure by the flowing compressed as. Thus the external fins and the flns 8| on the plate 28 provide a simple yet efiective and efllcient means of rapidly dissipating the heat resulting from compressor operations.

' Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate another form of diaphragm compressor structure embodying my invention. The compressor housing l0 similar to the housing I8 is provided with a.cover 1 l, the

The eccentric. movement of,

on the head :28

latter having a threaded opening accommodating an air cleaner I00. The upper part of the housing I is flared as at I0 and formed with a circular recess I0 to receive the peripheral portion of a flexible diaphragm 20'. A circular plate 23' is interposed between the enlarged portion I0 of the housing and a compressor head 20', and a sealing gasket 30 being secured in fixed relation to the housing by screws 3|.

The motor shaft II carries the eccentric I3 formed with a counterweight 11', a connecting rod 50' being journaled upon the eccentric 11' by means of an anti-friction or ball bearing II. In this form of compressor, the connecting rod is integrally formed with an enlarged disc-like portion IM to which is secured the central portion of the flexible diaphragm 20 by means of a plate I02 and screws I03. The inlet ports I04 for the ingress of air into the compression chamber 24' formed by the plate 20' and diaphragm 20 are arranged in the disc-like portion IOI of the connecting rod, the diaphragm and the plate I02. The ports are normally closed by flexible reed valves or plates I05 one end of each being secured to the plate I02 by means of drive rivets I00 or similar means. The outlet port I00 for the compression chamber 24' is forme in plate 23' which is normally closed by a flexible reed valve I 00. In the operation of the compressor,

rotation of the eccentric I3 by the motor shaft I4 reciprocates the connecting rod 50' the diaphragm 20' and plate I02. On the down stroke of the diaphragm, valves I05 open to admit air into the compression 24' taken into the housing I0 through the air cleaner or fllter III. In the return or compression stroke-of the mechanism,

the air in chamber 24' is compressed and driven through the outlet port I00 as the reed valve I00 is opened under the influence of the pressure in the compression chamber, the compressed air passing into the plenum chamber 42'. In order to dissipate the heat of compression away from the compression chamber, the plate 23' is formed with heat radiating fins 02 extending into the plenum chamber 42', the flns32' being similar to the fins 02 in the form of the invention disclosed in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive. The head 20' is also provided with heat radiating flns II which together with the fins 02' serve to rapidly dissipate the heat away from the compressor elements.

It is apparent that, within the scope of the invention, modifications and different arrangements may be made other than is herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely,

the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

I claim:

1. A diaphragm compressor comprising a housing; a flexible diaphragm positioned in said housing; an actuating means for said diaphragm; a compressor head secured to said housing; a plate forming with said diaphragm a compression chamber; said plate and said head forming an inlet passage for said compression chamber and a plenum chamber arranged to receive fluid under pressure from said compression chamber; said plate having inlet and outlet ports therein; flexible plate valves for said ports; and a plurality of radially spaced arcuately shaped segmental heat radiating fins integrally formed on said plate and extending into said plenum chamber and arranged for direct contact with the fluid passing through said plenum chamber.

2. A compressor including a housing having a flared portion; a flexible diaphragm in the flared portion of said housing; actuating means for said diaphragm; a plate member adjacent said diaphragm and forming therewith a compression chamber; inlet and outlet ports in said plate; valves formed of thin, flexible metal arranged to open and close said ports; a head member; means for securing said head member and said plate member to said housing; said plate and said head having cooperating portions forming a fluid inlet passage communicating with said inlet ports and a plenum chamber communicating with said outlet ports; an outlet for said plenum chamber; heat radiating fins integrally formed on the exterior of said head member; and a plurality of radially spaced arcuately shaped heat radiating fins formed on one of said members and projecting into said plenum chamber.

3. A compressor for compressing gases including a housing; a flexible diaphragm in said housing; an actuating means including a connecting rod for reciprocating said diaphragm; a plate member adjacent said diaphragm and forming therewith a compression chamber; air inlet and outlet ports for the compression chamber; a head member secured to said compressor; said plate member and said head having cooperating portions forming a plenum chamber arranged to receive air under pressure from the compression chamber; and a plurality of radially-spaced arcuately-shaped segmental fins integrally formed on said plate and projecting into said plenum chamber and arranged for direct contact with the air passing through said plenum chamber.

HAROLD F. HADLEY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the tile of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 737,737 Hitchcock Sept. 1, 1903 760,843 Bland May 24, 1904 1,895,892 Brown Jan. 31, 1933 1,976,090 Smith Oct. 0, 1934 2,018,111 Babitch Oct. 22, 1935 2,042,510 Cornelius et al. June 2, 1936 2,003,728 De Ville Dec. 8, 1036 2,209,824 Brown et a] July 14, 1042 

